Successful separation of conjoined twins in Riyadh puts humanitarian feats of Saudi surgeons in the limelight

Dr. Abdullah Al Rabeeah (right) and his team work on one of the conjoined Syrian twins after successfully separating them on July 6, 2023, at the King Abdullah Specialized Children’s Hospital in Riyadh. (SPA)
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Updated 09 July 2023
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Successful separation of conjoined twins in Riyadh puts humanitarian feats of Saudi surgeons in the limelight

  • Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, head of Saudi aid agency KSrelief, led latest operation undertaken on directives of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman
  • Surgeries carried out by Saudi-sponsored Conjoined Twins Program offer children a chance to enjoy a normal and independent life, free of round-the-clock care

JEDDAH: For more than 30 years, the skilled work of surgeons at Saudi Arabia’s Conjoined Twins Program has allowed children to enjoy healthy, normal and independent lives, making the Kingdom a world leader in one of the most complex surgical procedures in modern medicine. 

Among them is pediatric surgeon Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, who has variously served as the Kingdom’s health minister, as an adviser to the Royal Court, and as supervisor-general of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center, KSrelief. 

On Thursday, Al-Rabeeah successfully separated Syrian twins Bassam and Ihsan in a surgery that lasted seven and a half hours and took place over five phases with the participation of 26 specialized Saudi doctors, according to SPA. 

Over the course of his career as a surgeon, Al-Rabeeah has conducted 58 operations on conjoined twins born to poor families from 23 countries. Overall, the program has supervised some 130 cases, clocking up hundreds of operating hours. 




Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah poses with a multinational grouping of conjoined twins he operated on in 2010. (Supplied)

Bassam and Ihsan, who were flown in from Turkiye in May, are just shy of their third birthday. Joined at the lower chest, abdomen, liver and intestines, they together weighed 19kg. Although Bassam’s condition is stable, Ihsan is sadly not expected to live longer than a few days. 

“(Ihsan is) considered an intruder on his brother Bassam because there is no urinary and reproductive system at the kidneys, ureters, bladder and male genitals,” Al-Rabeeah said following the surgery, according to SPA. 

“(He) also suffers from significant birth defects in the heart that impede his life with atrophy in neurological development, and he has deficiencies and congenital defects in the intestine.” 




Before the July 6 separation surgery, Bassam and Ihsan were joined at the lower chest, abdomen, liver and intestines. (Huda Bashatah/Arab News)

To save Bassam’s life, the medical team decided to go ahead with the highly complex operation to separate the twins. “This operation is a rescue operation for Bassam, who is in fair and stable health condition,” the medical team told SPA. 

Surgeries carried out by the Conjoined Twins Program are fully sponsored by the Saudi government. They offer children a chance to enjoy a long and healthy life, free of round-the-clock care, and relieved of the mental and physical strain of their condition. 

Conjoined twins, often referred to as Siamese twins, are a rare reproductive phenomenon, occurring only once in every 50,000 to 60,000 births. Other estimates suggest that they occur just once in every 200,000 live births. 

IN NUMBERS

130 Cases supervised by medical staff.

58 Separation surgeries carried out.

28 Countries from where patients have traveled.

According to medical studies, about 60 percent of conjoined twins are stillborn, while some 40 percent of those who survive birth then die within a few days. About 70 percent of conjoined twins are females. 

The frequency of cases tends to vary depending on various factors such as geographical location — with a somewhat higher incidence in Southwest Asia and Africa — genetic predisposition and environmental influences. 

In May last year, doctors performed a complicated 15-hour surgery on twin Yemeni boys, Yousef and Yassin. Underlining the difficulties involved, one of the twins also died on the second day of the surgery as a result of heart failure. 




Yemeni conjoined twins Yousef and Yassin after a “complicated” non-stop surgery that lasted 15 hours in May 2022. (SPA/File)

The surviving twin pulled through and remains in a stable condition under observation at the King Abdullah Specialized Children’s Hospital in King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh, according to the Saudi Press Agency. 

The hospital plays a crucial role in the Kingdom’s Conjoined Twins Program. Equipped with state-of-the-art medical facilities and advanced technology, the hospital is staffed by a highly skilled medical team specializing in complex pediatric care. 

“With the grace of Allah, then the presence of a specialized team and a specialized center, the Kingdom, under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and his trustworthy crown prince, have invested in two things — in infrastructure (and), what’s more important than that, is investing in people,” Al-Rabeeah told Arab News on Thursday. 




Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah and his team had carried out 58 separation surgeries under Saudi Arabia’s Conjoined Twins Program. (SPA)


“My colleagues have the experience and ability. Therefore, the presence of experience and infrastructure contribute to building the success of these operations.” 

Given the risks involved, doctors are not always convinced separation is the best course. From 1990-2011, 34 of the 64 cases that were presented to the Saudi team were deemed inoperable due to life-threatening deformities in the infants. 

Conjoined twins are in different classifications depending on the extent and location of their physical connection. 

The condition arises from a rare event during early embryonic development when a single fertilized egg fails to separate completely into two individuals. As a result, the twins may share certain organs, limbs or other body structures. 

Due to the complexity of conjoined twin pregnancies and the potential health challenges they pose, medical professionals often closely monitor such pregnancies and may recommend specialized prenatal care and planning for delivery. 

The ultimate decision on whether to attempt separation surgery depends on several factors, including the twins’ overall health, the feasibility of separation and the potential risks involved. 




Dr. Abdullah Al Rabeeah and his team are seen working on the newly separated Syrian Siamese twins, Bassam and Ihsan, on July 6, 2023 at King Abdullah Specialist Children's Hospital in Riyadh. (Huda Bashatah/Arab News)

“The existence of conjoined organs that are important and sensitive makes a twin separation operation difficult, as well as the existence of congenital defects in some organs, such as the heart, urinary system, or the reproductive system and, at times, in the brain, makes the operation complex,” Al-Rabeeah told Arab News. 

“Therefore, the difficulty lies in how the twins are conjoined, and to what degree exactly, and congenital defect generally makes the operation complex, performed in specific medical centers in the world.” 

The most common type of conjoined twins, thoracopagus, account for about 40 percent of cases, whereby twins are joined at the chest or upper abdomen, and in some cases may share a heart, liver, or other thoracic organs. 

BIO

Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, MD, FRCSC
Dr. Al-Rabeeah is head of the surgical and multidisciplinary team for the Saudi conjoined twins program.

Education

1979: Bachelor’s degrees in medicine and surgery from King Saud University, Riyadh

1986: General surgery fellowship at the University of Alberta Hospital Edmonton, Canada

1987: Pediatric surgery fellowship at the IWK Hospital for Children, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

Employment

2015-present: Supervisor general of aid agency KSrelief

2009-14: Minister of Health

2009-16: Member of the board of trustees of King Abdullah University of Science and Technology

2010-14: Chairman of the board of King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center

2005-09: Founder and president of the King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences at King Abdulaziz Medical City

2003-09: CEO of National Guard Health Affairs at King Abdulaziz Medical City

Omphalopagus twins, meanwhile, are connected at the lower abdomen and may share parts of the gastrointestinal tract, liver, or other abdominal organs. 

The rarest type of conjoined twin, craniopagus parasiticus, is when one twin is not fully formed and is dependent on the other for survival. The underdeveloped twin may be attached to the head or body of the more fully formed sibling. 




For Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, "every twin matters." (SPA photo)

The specific challenges associated with each type of conjoined twin can vary widely. The feasibility of separation surgery and the potential health risks depend on the extent of the connection and the vital organs involved. 

Each case requires individualized medical evaluation and decision-making by a multidisciplinary team of experts. Highly detailed surgical planning is required for a conjoined twin separation surgery to go ahead. 

“For me, every twin matters,” Al-Rabeeah told Arab News in an interview in March this year. “And I can tell you myself, and all of my colleagues, the team, they believe that those children are part of their family.”


Restoration efforts bring new life to Saudi historic Kasbat Al-Midmar

Updated 20 July 2025
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Restoration efforts bring new life to Saudi historic Kasbat Al-Midmar

  • The recently restored structure is now preserved under the supervision of Saudi Arabia’s Heritage Commission

RIYADH: In the heart of Badr Al-Janoub governorate, the historic Kasbat Al-Midmar rises proudly from the old district — a striking reminder of Saudi Arabia’s deep architectural and cultural heritage.

Built more than 300 years ago, the kasbah, or watchtower, is a seven-story mudbrick structure designed in the traditional circular form, wide at the base and tapering as it ascends, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Originally built as a watchtower to safeguard nearby farmlands, it still looks out over the village and valley today.

FASTFACT

Saudi Arabia’s Heritage Commission continues to protect and restore the region’s historic buildings, placing them on the National Antiquities Register as part of the Kingdom’s cultural legacy.

The recently restored structure is now preserved under the supervision of the Kingdom’s Heritage Commission.

Surrounding the kasbah are the remnants of traditional mud houses, part of a network of historical fortresses and homes that reflect the enduring legacy of the region.

These buildings illustrate the ingenuity of local architecture and the importance of such fortifications in the daily life of previous communities.

Manea Naji Al-Saad, vice president of the Najran Society for History and Archaeology, told SPA that the governorate where aware that Badr Al-Janoub is rich in archeological sites, including old mud houses and Qishla Castle, which stands atop Mount Al-Qarah.

Nearby is Al-Thaghr Palace, a structure dating back to the First Saudi State. Built by the order of Imam Saud bin Abdulaziz bin Mohammad in 1221 AH, the four-story palace is made of stone and features a large protective wall and a deep central well.

The commission continues to protect and restore the region’s historic buildings, placing them on the National Antiquities Register as part of the Kingdom’s cultural legacy, the SPA reported.

 


Research grants to revive Saudi Arabia’s craft heritage

Updated 20 July 2025
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Research grants to revive Saudi Arabia’s craft heritage

  • Program offers funding in six categories to explore how traditional skills sustain culture and economy

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Culture, in collaboration with the Heritage Commission, has announced a new research grant initiative to study traditional handicrafts.

As part of the Year of Handicrafts campaign, the program invites scholars to examine how traditional crafts preserve cultural knowledge, embody inherited skills, fulfill social roles, and reflect economic practices that have shaped Saudi society.

The grant covers six research categories to provide insights into handicraft studies. Applications are open until Sept. 1, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.

Historical research will trace the development of surviving and lost crafts over time, examining how social, economic, and political changes have influenced them.

A second category focuses on craft promotion, investigating initiatives to support and institutionalize traditional handicrafts in contemporary Saudi society.

Economic impact and creative economy studies will analyze how handicrafts contribute to the national economy, including comparisons of domestic and international markets for handmade cultural goods.

Technology integration research explores how modern techniques, design and digital tools intersect with traditional methods to create market-ready products.

Social research will examine community relationships with handicrafts and how cultural perceptions affect the sector’s growth and sustainability.

The final category addresses conceptual frameworks, critically analyzing handicraft terminology, its evolution, and making comparisons with related concepts such as cultural industries, fine arts, and the roles of craftspeople versus artists.

Applicants must hold an advanced degree, master’s or doctorate, or demonstrate equivalent expertise through substantial research. Late submissions will not be considered.

Selected researchers must produce publication-ready papers suitable for peer-reviewed journals and comply with all guidelines and documentation on the grant website. Simultaneous submission to other funding bodies is prohibited unless the applicant withdraws from this program.

Beyond supporting individual projects, the grant aims to strengthen local expertise in handicraft studies, foster researcher networks, and promote traditional handicrafts as a key element of Saudi culture. Interested researchers can apply through the ministry’s website.

 


Saudi project clears 971 explosive devices in Yemen

The project trains local demining engineers and provides them with modern equipment. (Supplied)
Updated 20 July 2025
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Saudi project clears 971 explosive devices in Yemen

  • The demining operations took place in Marib, Aden, Jouf, Shabwa, Taiz, Hodeidah, Lahij, Sanaa, Al-Bayda, Al-Dhale and Saada

RIYADH: Members of Saudi Arabia’s Project Masam removed 971 explosive devices from various regions of Yemen last week.

The total included 891 unexploded ordnance, 78 anti-tank mines, one anti-personnel mine and one improvised explosive device, according to a recent report.

Ousama Al-Gosaibi, the initiative’s managing director, said that 506,437 mines have been cleared since the project began in 2018.

The explosives were planted indiscriminately and posed a threat to civilians, including children, women and the elderly.

The demining operations took place in Marib, Aden, Jouf, Shabwa, Taiz, Hodeidah, Lahij, Sanaa, Al-Bayda, Al-Dhale and Saada.

Project Masam trains local demining engineers and provides them with modern equipment. It also offers support to Yemenis injured by the devices.

Teams are tasked with clearing villages, roads and schools to facilitate the safe movement of civilians and the delivery of humanitarian aid.

 


Saudi Arabia’s Beit Hail festival draws 65,000 visitors since launch

Updated 20 July 2025
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Saudi Arabia’s Beit Hail festival draws 65,000 visitors since launch

  • Event features an art pavilion presenting notable artists, a resin art exhibit and a folk theater
  • Several government leaders have visited the festival, praising its activities for recalling memories of traditional life

RIYADH: A heritage festival in Hail, northwestern Saudi Arabia, has attracted more than 65,000 visitors since it launched on June 28 from various Saudi cities as well as Gulf and international destinations.

The 30-day Beit Hail Festival at Aja Park offers a vibrant mix of cultural, artistic and heritage experiences, operating daily from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. The festival will continue until July 27, offering an immersive celebration of cultural heritage that includes handicrafts, traditional dishes and Thamudic inscriptions.

Beit Hail features an art pavilion showcasing notable artists, a resin art exhibit, a folk theater, residential models inspired by heritage and performances highlighting the culture of Aseer province.

Several government leaders have visited the festival, praising its activities for recalling memories of traditional life and showcasing conventional methods of meeting daily needs, the Saudi Press Agency reported.


Saudi minister leads KSA delegation at G20 finance ministers and central bank governors in South Africa

Updated 20 July 2025
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Saudi minister leads KSA delegation at G20 finance ministers and central bank governors in South Africa

  • Saudi Central Bank Governor Ayman Al-Sayari was among the officials in attendance

KwaZulu-Natal: Saudi Finance Minister Mohammed Al-Jadaan recently led the Kingdom’s delegation at the Third Meeting of the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

At the meeting, the Saudi minister highlighted the need to accelerate reforms of the international trading system, adding that longstanding issues now require urgent action, Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.

“It is important that we move forward with reforms that reflect today’s evolving realities,” Al-Jadaan said.

Saudi Central Bank Governor Ayman Al-Sayari was among the officials in attendance.